Earn Recognition for Your Company with an ICML Award

The International Council for Machinery Lubrication (ICML) has designed the Augustus H. Gill and John R. Battle awards to recognize excellence in the application of lubrication and oil analysis. As an independent, vendor-neutral organization, ICML has chosen to remain as unbiased as possible and thus has a policy of “self-nomination,” which means the organization does not nominate companies for the awards program. Instead, plant personnel nominate their own lubrication or oil analysis programs.

The awards are open to end-user programs around the globe, independent of their involvement with ICML. Awards applications must be submitted by an employee of the plant or site, preferably by someone involved in the program, as in-depth knowledge of the program will be necessary to complete the application form. To be considered for an award, the program must be substantial (world-class), with an integrated, multi-disciplinary approach that has yielded sustainable results and is based on best practices and a philosophy of continuous improvement.

Although members of industry such as consultants, vendors, trainers, etc., are not able to nominate their own companies (unless they are also an end user), they may still refer programs of their end-user colleagues and customers. Ultimately, however, applications must be submitted by plant personnel.

Applying for the ICML awards is a simple Web-based process. The application form can be found at www.lubecouncil.org. Upon request, the application form can also be emailed to provide a preview of the information that will be requested in the application process. However, final submission for the awards must be done online. Supporting documentation, such as before and after pictures, trended metrics, samples of procedures, etc., can be uploaded with the online form to help tell the story of your journey.

Referring a program is as easy as emailing your contacts at the plant (with a copy sent to ICML’s executive director) to inform them that you believe they are at a world-class level and are referring them for an ICML award. ICML will then confirm whether the plant accepts your reference and has an interest in applying. If so, the plant will be guided through the simple Web-based process.

Because the ICML awards program is a peer-comparison exercise, the more applications submitted, the better the quality of the recipient program. ICML does have minimum standards that must be met by applicants to ensure that the quality of the winning program is equal to or higher than that of previous award winners. ICML will forgo presenting an award for a given year should the organization determine that no submissions were at the necessary level to earn one of the prestigious awards.

In addition, ICML does not disclose the applicants for its awards. Companies that apply but are not selected are encouraged to reapply as they continue their journey to excellence. ICML also does not currently charge end-user companies to apply for the awards. So if you believe your program has what it takes, consider submitting/referring it for the appropriate award. Visit www.lubecouncil.org to begin the process today.